Slipper for geriatrics and other uses



Oct. 15, 1963 H. ZIMMON 3,106,790

SLIPPER FOR GERIATRICS AND OTHER USES Filed Oct. 29, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. #42040 Z/M/v/o/v Oct. 15, 1963 H. ZIMMON 3,106,790

SLIPPER FOR GERIATRICS AND OTHER USES Filed Oct. 29, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. #42040 Z/M/vm/v ATTOIP/VE'Y Oct. 15, 1963 H. ZIMMON 3,106,790

SLIPPER FOR GERIATRICS AND OTHER USES Filed Oct. 29, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. #49040 Z/M/v/cw Vii trite This invention relates to a new and improved slipper, particularly adapted for use by geriatrics and hospital and nursing home patients. More particularly, the invention relates to a warm, adjustable-size, bootie-slipper to provide warmth for patients who suffer from cold feet because of circulatory ailments and which is particularly suited for use both in and out of bed.

A particular feature and advantage of the invention is the fact that it is widely adaptable to variations in size of the foot due to various causes such as swollen or emaciated feet. It will be understood that stocking a variety of sizes of slippers in a hospital is undesirable as it creates a problem in sorting laundry and it would make it almost impossible to maintain a complete inventory. The present invention provides a slipper in which one size is suitable for different foot lengths and different foot widths over a considerable range so that only three sizes need be stocked to fit all adult patients. importantly, the slipper is constructed in such a way that it may be worn either on the left or on the right foot and hence pairs of slippers are not required.

It must be understood that in geriatric nursing a problem in foot care is created by the fact that the feet of some patients tend to become very emaciated particularly at the ankle and instep. On the other hand, other patients in this age group because of circulatory or other ailments are subject to edema or swelling of the foot, and the ankle and instep become enlarged beyond normal. To provide an economical foot covering to fit all sizes has heretofore been a problem. Patients with circulatory ailments while in bed still suffer from cold feet and the weight of numerous blankets is quite uncomfortable besides providing additional expense for the hospital. The present slipper solves both the in arid out of bed problem relating to foot warmth and covering.

The pnesent invention provides fastening means which accommodate emaciated and swollen feet as well as normal feet.

Still another feature of the invention is the ease with which it may be placed on the foot and secured in place. It must be understood that because of the age or ailment of the patients they are sometimes lacking in finger and body dexterity so that the ease of putting on the slipper becomes important. The present invention provides a solution to this problem by providing a cross-over or overlapped front in which two side members are overlapped at the toe so that the slipper opens to a considerable gap to permit insertion and removal of the foot.

As a feature of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tie which fastens the overlapped side members together is a Velcro fastener which does not necessitate the patient tieing knots, a feature which is of particular advantage with elderly patients whose fingers are not dexterious enough tov tie and untie laces and tapes; It will be understood, of course, that ties may be substituted for the Velcro fastener in a modified form of the invention.

Another advantage of the invention is the fact that there is no roughness nor any exposed seam on the inside of the slipper which would otherwise irritate the delicate skin of geriatrics. When worn in bed, any lumps or seams tend to irritate the foot and may cause bed sores. At the same time, the construction of the slipper is such that the slipper may be worn when walking.

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A still further feature of the invention is the fact that its construction enables the slippers to be washed in ordinary laundries of hospitals between uses.

A still further feature of the invention is the fact that the tie which secures the two front halves of the slipper together is located at the instep. Patients frequently dangle their feet over the side of the bed while seated on the bed. If the slipper is tied at the ankle the slipper tends to work down over the heel, then when the patient steps on the floor the slippers sole bunches up under the foot, possibly causing injury or tripping. Tying at the instep eliminates this hazard.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specificationand referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the slipper viewed from the side and showing the sides opened wide for insertion of the foot.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating the adaptation of the slipper to patients with thin and with swollen feet, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modification using ties instead of a Velcro fastener.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the portions of the slipper prior to assembly.

The present invention provides a slipper 11 constructed of a combination sole and heel portion 12, a first side portion 13, a second side portion 14, and Velcro fastening elements 16 and d7 attached to portions 13 and 14, respectively. Portions '12, J13 and 14 are preferably constructed of a fabric known as canton cotton flannel, which has a soft, warm, comfortable surface on the inwardly turned side and a canvas-like exterior which is resistant to wear. Such material provides such qualities without being laminated, hence laundering of the slipper presents no problems of shrinkage or of separation of laminations which would occur if two fabrics of different consistency were used.

Sole member 12 provides the toe, sole and heel of the slipper. For such purpose, at the front member 12 is cut wide and gathered together around the front of the slipper and secured by a plurality of triangular folds or darts 21 with apex directed inwardly which extend from the top margin of portion 12 inwardly a short distance from the margin to gather in a pouch-like toe 22.. Immediately above the heel 24 is a second plurality of similar folds or darts 23 on either side which provide a fullness on either side accommodating the spur of the heel. The

narrow, rear tongue 26 of member 12 extends up the.

back of the heel of the wearer, the marginal edges 27 being spaced apart so that the seams are to either side rather than at the center of the back of the foot. Absence of a seam at the center makes the slipper more comfort able when worn in bed since, with the patient supine,

the weight of the foot does not rest on a central seam.

At the top of tongue 26 the edge is prevented from ravelling by stitches 28 cast over the end of the tongue extending the full width thereof. In the completed slipper, as best shown in FIG. 2, the upper portion of tongue 26 is folded over on the outside in a hem 29 which eliminates the necessity of binding.

Side portions 13 and 14 are substantial duplicates ex cept for the fact that they are reversed. The two sides are of an irregularly curved shape. The upper edge of each is finished withbinding 31. It will be noted, particularly with reference to FIG. 3, that the front corner insac-e790 dicated by reference numeral 32 of right portion 13 is displaced to the left of the centerline of the slipper, while the front corner 34 of left portion 14 is displaced to the right so that there is a considerable overlap of the fronts of portions 13 and 14 across the toes. Such overlap facilitates wide opening of the slipper, as viewed in FIG. 1, to permit the foot to be inserted. It also accommodates variations in foot size as shown particularly in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The bottom edge 33 of part 13 and the bottom edge 35 of part 14 are sewn to the top edge 36 of part 12 in a stitch 37 which runs from the tip of the toe around both sides and thence at the heel is continued in a stitch 38 on each side which joins the back edge 39 of the two parts to the edges 27 of part 12. Stitches 37, 38 are of the type to cover the exposed edges of the fabric. Stitch 37 passes over the folds 21 and stitch 38 passes over the folds 23. It will be noted that stitches 37 and 38 protrude outwardly away from the foot. This construction prevents excessive folds of material on the interior of the foot and further reduces any likelihood of contact of the skin of the wearer with interior stitching, lumps, seams, and the like, which might irritate the skin of the patient.

The top portion 29 of tongue 26 is folded over the top edge of stitch 38 and likewise over the rear of binding 31 on each of members 13 and 14, concealing the termini of such seam and binding and cushioning any tendency of the corners of such termini to irritate the foot.

It will be noted from the foregoing that the member 12 provides not only the solo on which the foot rests in walking position, but also provides the fullness for the toe pouch 22 and for the side 41 and further provides the fullness for the heel pouches 24. This construction is desirable in that it enables one size of slipper to accommodate a variety of foot lengths and widths. Thus, ordinarily three sizes of slippers will accommodate all foot lengths and widths in both mens and womens sizes. This reduces the inventory which must be stocked and, also, simplifies manufacture.

A preferred means for closing the slipper is the use of Velcro fastener portions 16 and 17. Portion 16 preferably has the burr-like loops of such fastener turned outwardly and is fastened over the instep by means of stitching 42 in a plurality of locations along the length of the strip. The other member 17 preferably has the flannellike surface turned inwardly and is fastened with a tab projecting from the edge of binding and is secured to member 14 by stitching 43 at a plurality of locations. The fastening is such that when the tab 17 is pressed against the member 16 it sticks thereto until manually pulled apart.

Directing attention particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be understood that with certain patients the foot size is subject to considerable variations. Elderly persons sometimes tend to become emaciated in the extremities of the limbs, as shown in FIG. 4, whereas in certain conditions there is a swelling below the skin which increases the fullness at the instep, as shown in FIG. 5. The use of fastening members 16 and 17 accommodates both conditions when used in combination with the overlap at the toes. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the member 17 is brought down fully over the member 16, causing the slipper to adhere closely to the thin foot of the patient. On the other hand, in FIG. the tab 17 is connected to the outer end of Velcro member 16.

It will be understood that the use of the Velcro type fastener is desirable, but it may be replaced by other fastening means. As shown in FIG. 6, tapes 51 and 52 are sewn by means of stitching 53 to the sides 13 and 14, commencing at a point close to the bottom edges of those members. Such tapes 51 and 52 may be tied in a knot over the instep.

Only a few sizes (preferably three sizes) will accommodate both mens and Womens normal shoe lengths and widths. It is not necessary to provide separate lefts and rights, although it will be understood that the overlap of the portions 13 and 14 may be reversed so that the appearance of lefts and rights may be obtained if desired. The patient or nurse separates the fasteners and spreads the slipper apart, as best shown in FIG. 1, permitting the toe, instep and heel to be inserted in the slipper. The overlapped portions 13 and 14 are drawn together until the slipper fits tightly over the instep and around the ankle. The slipper accommodates considerable variation in thickness of the limb, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The portions 13 and 14 may be secured together by means of the Velcro fasteners 16, 17 merely by pressing the member 16 against the member 17. This fastening does not require manual dexterity. On the other hand, if tapes 51 and 52 are used, the slipper may be fastened by tying bows or knots.

When secured in place, the slipper may be worn either in bed or out of bed, providing warmth for the foot and protection against dirt, unevenness in the floor, and the like. Where the patient dangles his foot over the side of the bed, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the slipper tends to remain in place rather than slipping down the angle and bunching at the heel, a feature which is particularly desirable in that it presents the patient from stumbling. When worn in bed the slipper presents no roughness of exposed seams on the inside to irritate the skin.

Removal of the slipper is facilitated since it is merely necessary to pull the fastener element 17 away from the element 16. In the event that ties 51, 52 are used, they may be untied. Slipping the shoe off the foot is quite easily accomplished. The slipper is readily laundered and does not tend to shrink when thus laundered.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail, by Way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced with in the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A slipper comprising a sole having side edges extending from the front tip around the sides to the heel of said slipper, a first side extending from a first point on one side of said front tip, across the front of the slipper and around the side of said slipper opposite said first point, a second side extending from a second point on the side of said front tip opposite said first point, across the front of the slipper on top of a portion of said first side and around the side of said slipper opposite said second point, said first and second portions overlapping across the entire width of the toe portion of said slipper, stitching joining the upper edge of said sole to the lower edges of said first and second sides, and means closing the back of said slipper.

2. A slipper according to claim 1, which further comprises fastening means for fastening said first and second sides together across the instep.

3. A slipper according to claim 1, in which the upper edges of said sole are at an elevation above the bottom edge of said slipper and said stitching protrudes outwardly of said slipper.

4. A slipper according to claim 1, in which said sides are formed of canton cotton flannel with the flannel surface inside.

5. A slipper comprising a sole gathered in a front toe pouch at the front tip extending rearward along the bottom and up the back in a narrow rear tongue, the front and side edges of said sole extending to an elevation slightly above the bottom of said slipper, a first side member extending from a first point at the upper edge of said sole on a first side of said front tip across the front of the slipper, around the second side of said slipper opposite said first point, and terminating along the adjacent edge of said rear tongue, 21 second side member extending from a second point at the upper edge of said sole on the 6 side of said front tip opposite said first point, across the 7. A slipper according to claim 5, in which the upper front of the slipper overlapping a portion of said first end of said rear tongue is turned outward and downward side member across the front of said slipper around said in a short tab. first side of said slipper and terminating along the ad acent References Cited in the file of this patent edge of said rear tongue, and stitching joining the lower 5 edges of said side members to the upper edges of said sole UNITED STATES PATENTS and the edges of said rear tongue adjacent the back edges 2,143,556 Hodaly Ian. 10, 1939 of said side members. 2,756,518 Raney July 31, 1956 6. A slipper according to claim 5, which further com- 2,919,503 Sholovitz Jan. 5, 1960 prises fastening means for fastening said first and second 10 3,013,184 Adams Dec. 12, 196 1 sides together across the instep. 3,015,896 Breslow Jan. 9, 1962 

1. A SLIPPER COMPRISING A SOLE HAVING SIDE EDGES EXTENDING FROM THE FRONT TIP AROUND THE SIDES TO THE HEEL OF SAID SLIPPER, A FIRST SIDE EXTENDING FROM A FIRST POINT ON ONE SIDE OF SAID FRONT TIP, ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE SLIPPER AND AROUND THE SIDE OF SAID SLIPPER OPPOSITE SAID FIRST POINT, A SECOND SIDE EXTENDING FROM A SECOND POINT ON THE SIDE OF SAID FRONT TIP OPPOSITE SAID FIRST POINT, ACROSS THE FRONT OF THE SLIPPER ON TOP OF A PORTION OF SAID FIRST SIDE AND AROUND THE SIDE OF SAID SLIPPER OPPOSITE SAID 